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North Central Govs To Join PDP …As More APC Decampees Embrace PDP In Rivers – Secondus
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Uche Secondus has revealed that some Governors in the North Central geo-political zone elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will soon join the party.
Secondus claimed they were already in talks with the governors.
He stated this in Umuahia, Abia State, during his one-day working visit to the State Executive Council (SEC) of the party, last Monday.
“I have talked with APC governors in the North Central, and they are on their way to PDP,” Secondus said.
“All PDP governors are intact and in agreement with the party. No rumours again. Nigerians are in the mission of recovering the country. Even market women know that APC has collapsed,” he said.
The six states in the North Central: Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau are all governed by the APC.
The PDP chief warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against any attempt to rig next year’s general elections, saying that Nigerians would resist such antics.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Engr Emeka Woke has told riverine people of the state not to believe the claims of former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi on gubernatorial rotation, until he resigns his appointment as Minister of the Federal Republic.
Woke also advised that the senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Chief Andrew Uchendu, must first vacate his seat, if his campaign on gubernatorial rotation, should be taken seriously.
Speaking during a ceremony to welcome APC decampees to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and an empowerment initiative by Governor Nyesom Wike in Emohua Local Government Area, last Sunday, Woke noted that the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi and Uchendu displaced the riverine people politically to snatch their positions, even though Wike was already in office as governor.
He said: “Let him that goes to equity, go with clean hands. If APC says power must rotate in Rivers State, they should remember that at the time Wike was inaugurated as governor on May 29, 2015, Rivers State had no minister.
“The man who says he loves Rivers State so much and that Ikwerre must not take everything, put himself forward and became minister. At that time, he didn’t know it was Ikwerre-Ikwerre. Rivers East Senatorial District unanimously voted Senator George Sekibo from Ogu-Bolo. Ikwerre was already governor and naturally a Wakrike man was voted. The same person, Andrew Uchendu fought him and removed him through unwholesome route.
“For the sake of equity and based on their campaign, let Chibuike Amaechi resign as minister and let Andrew Uchendu resign as senator, then, we will know that they are serious. Otherwise, they are deceiving their few followers”.
He declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not valuable to Rivers people; hence, they will vote the PDP again in 2019.
Woke said aside the circulation of lies, the APC-led Federal Government has not executed any projects in the state.
He said the way Emohua people overwhelmingly voted for PDP during the presidential, gubernatorial and legislative elections in 2015, is the way that they would vote again in 2019.
“This is a period of stock-taking. It is not a time to make vain statements. All across Rivers State, the APC-led Federal Government has no projects. Here in Emohua Local Government Area, there is nothing that can be credited to the APC.
“However, in Emohua Local Government Area, Governor Wike has empowered the people and executed projects across different communities”, he said.
Speaking, Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah assured the APC decampees to the PDP that they would be accorded equal treatment by the party.
He commended the Emohua PDP for its mass mobilisation which would lead to PDP victory in 2019.
Member representing Emohua Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Samuel Ogeh said the massive turnout at the event has reinforced the loyalty of Emohua people to PDP.
Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Political Matters, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh said that the people of the area were determined to deliver Wike in 2019.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.